We heard not a little concerning the expected distress of those white families whose property consisted chiefly of slaves.  There were many such families, who have hitherto lived respectably and independently by hiring out their slaves.  After 1840, these will be deprived of all their property, and will have no means of support whatever.  As they will consider it degrading to work, and still more so to beg, they will be thrown into extremely embarrassing circumstances.  It is thought that many of this class will leave the country, and seek a home where they will not be ashamed to work for their subsistence.  We were forcibly reminded of the oft alleged objection to emancipation in the United States, that it would impoverish many excellent families in the South, and drive delicate females to the distaff and the wash-tub, whose hands have never been used to any thing—­rougher than the cowhide.  Much sympathy has been awakened in the North by such appeals, and vast numbers have been led by them to conclude that it is better for millions of slaves to famish in eternal bondage, than that a few white families, here and there scattered over the South, should be reduced to the humiliation of working.

Hostility to emancipation prevailed in Barbadoes.  That island has always been peculiarly attached to slavery.  From the beginning of the anti-slavery agitations in England, the Barbadians distinguished themselves by their inveterate opposition.  As the grand result approximated they increased their resistance.  They appealed, remonstrated, begged, threatened, deprecated, and imprecated.  They continually protested that abolition would ruin the colony—­that the negroes could never be brought to work—­especially to raise sugar—­without the whip.  They both besought and demanded of the English that they should cease their interference with their private affairs and personal property.

Again and again they informed them that they were wholly disqualified, by their distance from the colonies, and their ignorance of the subject, to do any thing respecting it, and they were entreated to leave the whole matter with the colonies, who alone could judge as to the best time and manner of moving, or whether it was proper to move at all.

We were assured that there was not a single planter in Barbadoes who was known to be in favor of abolition, before it took place; if, however, there had been one such, he would not have dared to avow his sentiments.  The anti-slavery party in England were detested; no epithets were too vile for them—­no curses too bitter.  It was a Barbadian lady who once exclaimed in a public company in England, “O, I wish we had Wilberforce in the West Indies, I would be one of the very first to tear his heart out!” If such a felon wish could escape the lips of a female, and that too amid the awing influence of English society, what may we conclude were the feelings of planters and drivers on the island!